Slingshot Terms, Glossary and Slang
Slingers have long used the slingshot as a hunting tool or as a recreational toy. Thanks to the immeasurable popularity of the internet and social media, slinging has gained a much larger following.
Slingshot communities have been established both locally and globally, and the first-ever Slingshot World Cup was wonderfully and successfully held in Italy in June of 2018.
Associations and federations have been established in many countries around the world, with some even attempting to get the sport recognized by the Olympics.
Slingshooters from all corners of the globe are communicating and competing on skills, designs, materials, and more.?
English is a widely-used language, so understanding and using the English slingshot terms, glossary and slang below from slingshotform can help bridge the language gap. Credit goes to Flatband!
| Catapult, Catty,Cutty,Gutty, Beanflip, Shanghai, Resorta, Flip, Ging, Tirachina, Schlueder, Fionda, Gomero-a few names for slingshots | |
| Slingshot Shooting | the act of shooting a Slingshot |
| 1030-1636-1745-2040-2050-3060 | These are popular thin tube numerical designations.Different numbers correspond to different diameters. First two digits divided by ten means its inner diammter in mm. Rest digits divided by 10 means it outer diameter in mm. These numbers are used speci |
| 3 hole pouch | like a center punched pouch but the center hole is the same size as the band holes. It is a self centering type pouch |
| A Shoot | A slingshot Tournament or a gathering of slingshot shooters |
| A slotted attachment or Matchstick method | A thin cut is made in the top of the post. The end of the rubber is folded over about 1 inch and stretched to fit in the slot.The addition of a matchstick in the loop or a rubber piece aids in securing it |
| African Wrap | a method of attaching rubber to the posts where the rubber is run down the front of the posts to the base of the prongs. Leather strips or strong cord is wrapped all the way around and up until it reaches the tops of the posts. A very secure way but a long band is needed |
| Anchor point | The spot usually around the cheek or corner of the mouth where the pouch lands when it's pulled back. |
| Bareback | using no slingshot at all to shoot. Holding the bands and pouch and drawing back and releasing using only the hand as the fork. |
| Beavertail | a flattened protrusion extending out from the handle covering the web of your hand (space between thumb and index finger ) used mostly on Hammer (Pistol grip)designs.Lessens wrist strain and adds protection from errant shots. |
| Board cut | a slingshot cut from a board- note: can also be used to denote a slingshot cut from any other material not only wood-I.E ,Plastic slab-metal slab-fibreglass etc. |
| Can Chasing | game for slingshooters where an empty can is thrown on the ground and each shooter takes a shot at it. As the can is hit it goes further and further away. the winner is the one who hits it last at the furthest distance. |
| Cant | the angle that the slingshot is held at. 45 degree, 90 degree, etc. |
| Catch box | a cardboard box or other material with an opening in the front and rags, old t-shirts, or towels hanging behind the opening to catch ammo shot at a hanging target in the front of the box |
| Center punched | a hole right in the middle of the pouch for ammo placement |
| Chains,Ganged Bands | School or office type bands chained or looped all together and attached to the pouch. Very Powerful set-up. |
| Chinese Handcuff | a method for putting tubes on the forks(round metal) where the tips are moistened and the tubes are slipped on. When dry,the action of pulling back the sling tightens the tube-prong connection so they won't come off |
| Chinese tubes | thin tubes |
| Chrony | a device that's used to measure speed(usually in Feet per second) |
| Cubes | quadrangular-square rubber |
| DanKung |
Chinese Slingshot/Catapult |
| Cupped pouch or dimpled pouch |
a pouch that has a cup in the center for ammo placement |
| Double cupped pouch | a pouch that has a cup on each side of the pouch for ammo placement (also good for loads) |
| Double slotted attachment | two thin cuts are made in the top of the post. Rubber is stretched to fit into the slot nearest the throat first,then stretched around to fit in the outer slot. The rubber is then pulled tight to seat up against the fork. A popular method used on older wooden slingshots(Wham-o, Lohman, Bullseye Etc.) |
| Double Taper | On some flat rubber the rubber sheet itself is tapered(Gauge Taper). One end is thicker then the other. If bands are cut properly from this type sheet, you can get a double taper-thickness of the rubber plus the width. Thin and narrow end at pouch, thick and wide end at forks. A very fast high performing set of bands possible with this cut |
| Draw | the distance bands are pulled back to the anchor point |
| Dry shot | shooting a pouch empty (DO NOT DO!!!) |
| Ergo | a board cut slingshot shaped to fit the hand |
| F.P.S. | a velocity designation, Feet Per Second |
| Finger braced | a gripping method where you brace the index finger and the thumb up against the forks for more support |
| FlatNat | a natural tree fork planed down to a uniform thickness like a board cut slingshot |
| Flats, flatbands, straps | flat cut rubber |
| Flechette | small dart type projectiles used with a slings bow |
| Flier | a wild shot, not going where intended |
| Flippers Draw, Albatross style, or Butterfly Draw | A drawing style. It is popular in the Czech Republic and also used by old timers down in the south U.S.A. The pouch is drawn up from the waist and at the same time the the frame holding hand is pushed out as far as possible, the pouch is drawn back well behind the normal anchor point. Aim is by feel and a lot of practice.A very difficult style but great speeds are possible because of the extra long draw |
| Frame | the body of the slingshot |
| Gangsta Style | Horizontal frame hold, Parallel to ground |
| Gauge | the thickness of flat rubber, the thickness of tube walls |
| Gauge Taper | On sheet rubber sometimes the sheet is thicker on one end then the other. |
| Group or grouping | a specified number of shots at a specific distance(shots are measured to see how close they are |
| Gypsy Tabs | Leather or other suitable material attached to the prongs which bands are attached to. Makes them last longer-popular in some European countries. |
| Hammer Grip | same as Pistol Grip |
| Hole in Tube, Hole in Strap | the pouch connection on a tube assembly where a small hole is made close to the end of the tube.The tube is then feed through the pouch hole and into the tube hole making the attachment.Probably the most popular method of tube to pouch connection. Also was done in the past on flat strap assemblies (not as good on flats) |
| Hysterisis | A condition that happens with rubber when it's stretched and held for too long causing a loss in velocity |
| Knuckle Knock | sometimes the pouch on an over the top set-up comes back and slaps you in the knuckles |
| Lam or Laminate frame | Slingshot carved from a multilayered board |
| Looped Chinese Tubes | no prong connection on this set-up.Tubes are one piece looped through a fork hole-then the ends are connected normally to pouch.Tubes can be added for more power and speed-just make bigger or more pouch holes for the ends |
| Missed by that much | An exclamation used by all slingshooters! |
| Mummy wrap | another name for an African wrap or a wrap where a lot of material is used to secure the bands |
| Over the top ( OTT ) | a band set-up that allows the bands to fly over the top of the forks |
| Palm Knob, Heel Knob, Palm Swell | a swell at the bottom of the handle of some slingshots (can also be a swell in the middle too). Aids in gripping and in security |
| PFS or Pickle Fork Shooter | a very shallow throated,small,thin slingshot |
| Pistol grip | a grip where you don't brace the fingers up against the forks |
| Plinking | shooting a slingshot at cans,bottlecaps,acorns,leaves etc. Shooting of random targets |
| Pouch slap, band slap | the assembly slaps or hits the post when going through the throat.It also rubs a little on an over the top set-up but not as much. |
| Pre-stressing | stretching the rubber before tying on to a pouch or a post. Reduces pouch curl on a pouch connection and makes a more secure attachment at the posts for a non-"Chinese" attachment |
| Prongs, forks, branches | the two structures that form the "V" |
| Psuedo Taper | A tapering method used with tubes and flats where two different size tubes or flatbands are tied ( I.E.-soft cotton string-elasticized cotton covered braiding) together keeping the larger band or tube up at the prong and the smaller tube or flat at the back ( pouch connection ) an alternative way of making a tapered set-up without cutting. |
| Psuedo Tapers | A method of getting the benefit of tapering without the cutting of a taper. It involves the use of two different sizes of bands or tubes. Bigger or thicker band or tube up front,smaller attached to it a half or third of the way from the pouch tie. |
| Rotating Prongs | a movable or rotating attachment at posts,especially helpful with tubes.Helps them last longer and gives more speed |
| RTS | Return To Sender shot. Sometimes on high speed set-ups,after the shot is released it may not release clean and come back at you-NOT FUNNY! |
| Shuttle Craft | Any smaller standard wrist braced slingshot |
| Slingbow | A regular slingshot customized to shoot arrows |
| Slingshooter | a person who shoots a Slingshot |
| Snap Shooting | a super fast draw and release popular with hunters(for obvious reasons) and also shooting for high speeds over a Chrony |
| Spanish or Spain Attachment | A method of attaching rubbers to the forks where by holes are drilled down into the posts,then small leather strips or strong nylon cords(both ends) are pressed down into the hole forming a small loop. Toothpicks or other wedging material is forced into the hole with the addition of a strong wood glue. The rubbers are attached to the loop when the glue is dry. Make sure the loop is securely anchored before shooting. |
| Speed Bump Effect | When the pouch is jerked by too hard of a grip or too much pressure on the pouch on one side upon release. Causing the ammo to jump like a car going over a speed bump. Many a fork hit is caused by this action. Also when holding the pouch horizontally with the thumb held pushing up rather then straight-creates a bump for the ball to go over.(thumb being the bump) Some people say twisting the pouch this way reduces fork hits especially shooting PFS style. |
| Speed Shooting | loading and shooting as fast as you can put ammo on target. Term also used for shooting for high speeds over a Chrony |
| Starship | slang term for a wrist-braced extended fork slingshot |
| Straight set | A straight cut band assembly |
| Tapered bands or tapered tubes | Rubber cut with a wide end for the post and a narrow end for the pouch.Gives more speed then a straight cut |
| Throat, crotch, yoke | the opening between the "V" |
| Through the throat (TTT), through the fork | a band set-up that allows the bands to go through the "V' opening or throat |
| Traditional fork | any slingshot without a brace |
| Tree Fork | a slingshot made from a "V" formed tree branch-Also called a natural fork |
| Trough | when folding the band over itself and running it through the pouch hole-the resulting valley created by the fold in the band is this |
| Tubes | tubular rubber |
| Ventilated pouch | a series of holes(5-10) punched in a pouch to reduce air drag and lessen weight |
| Whiskerbiscuit | a small round brushlike device to center/hold an arrow in the throat of a sling bow. Also helps keeping the feathers or fins of the arrow from getting damaged |
| Wings | The ends of a flat strap assembly that come through the pouch hole after tying. Also same thing with a tube set tied in this fashion |